Crunched my car - need sympathy

[NZ9Iwon]

I went to my first open track day on saturday, all was going well and having a great time until it all went wrong. We have a fairly fast set of esses, normally 3rd or 4th gear in my 3.2, say entering around 85mph and coming out onto the front straight around 95-100mph. Had it wired all day until some *** in a 500hp v8 saloon car cut through my inside line in the entrance to the esses and then across in front of me! He didnt do anything wrong (apart from a total lack of respect for the Porsche). Anyway, I panicked and backed off, trying to give him some room. Bad mistake, big slide ending in a full 360 through the exit bend and sideways into the armco barrier! A more experienced driver would not have had this problem, or at the least would have recovered the slide...BUT NOW I KNOW. Experience being the best teacher, I think ive learnt a number of important lessons, mostly regarding keeping within your limits and being prepared fro the worst. I was doing neither.
Anyway, the damage was minor considering the speed involved, I had scrubbed off most of the speed by the time I hit, and the impact was side on, rear hit first then flicked the front onto the barrier and stopped. Was able to drive away, but some obvious suspension/steering damage as well front and rear damage, mostly to the bumpers. I'll have it in the shop tomorrow for a thorough checkover, cant see what is bent (tie rods, steering rack seem OK) but the 20 degrees of toe out is a bad sign.

Sympathy will be appreciated, if not deserved.


This is with the steering wheel centered....

[MMARSH]

Bummer. Sorry to see that happen. Hope that doesnt sour you on doing track events. Get your car fixed, then sign up for the next track event. Ya know, you got to get back on the horse.

[Eric Mckenna]

MAn I am very sorry to hear and see the pics of yer accident , I hate to hear of this happening.. but as most will say I am sure ya gotta fixer up and get back out. LIFE is one big learning session. I hope it's a quick fix. I am once agian very sorry.. At least yer ok and all.

Take care!
Eric

[Victor]

That sucks. Hope you get back out there soon. Sympathy deserved indeed.

[steveW]

Oops, but from the track you describe it sounds like Pukekohe between the hairpin and start finish straight.

Just watched the Aussie V8 race on TV.

Next time I guarantee you'll put the V8 into the wall!!!

Cheers

[JoeF]

I feel your pain Brother!
JoeF

[Jcon]

That does suck, but on the bright side as long it's up on the rack ........ A little fiberglass, a 3.6, shorter gears and you could return the favor to your new 500hp v8 friend.

That's the opening line in my pathetic mind that leads to spending more than I want on what I want.


Good luck

[widebody911]

It's just a flesh wound!

[Jack Olsen]

Ouch. It seems odd that you'd be allowed in an open passing situation on your first visit to a track. You might want to try an event where there's some instruction, since -- as you now know -- it's not as simple as 'drive fast and stay on the pavement.'

[gr8fl4porsche]

I was tweaking my computer this afternoon and just reconnected the modem. I went to Pelican and randomly selected a post to check the speed - this is what I found

Sorry to hear it.

[NZ9Iwon]

Hi All,
Thanks for the comments, it is after all a 'flesh wound' and very recoverable. Jack - very good point, and this was the subject of discussion on the day. Maybe its a bit typical of us Kiwis, but there was little or no regulation this day (BTW, I have done DE days in the last few months..). Anyway, being an open track day, there were all sorts there, including bikes, open wheelers and a truck. Regulation was limited to broad categories in 20 minute sessions, the porsches (5 of us) being lumped in with race cars (not including open wheelers). Surprised me as well as a few of the more experienced drivers, for exactly this reason. I guess my only gripe with the ford was that he wasnt making any allowances for other traffic, and as it happens I wasnt the only one he cut up.

More regulation in this instance would certainly have been appropriate, but then we are all responsible for the situations we get ourselves into.

[GIBSON]

Graeme
Tough day at the track but your car will soon be as good as new and you'll have a story to tell for years. I'm impressed with your attitude, if more of us had the guts to take responsibility for our
actions (even though your situation was influenced by another's poor driving choices) this would be a better world.
Learn, move on, keep driving and you'll have even more fun coming home from the track with the car intact.

[Bill Douglas]

Graeme, well done not to totally trash the car on the armco - we need all the 911s we can get in NZ

Lets see some more pics when you get the car fixed, it looks a really nice colour.

[NZ9Iwon]

Bill, heres the whole car. Slate Blue Metallic '84 Coupe, cup2 alloys, SSI headers, Koni sport adjustable shocks and a K&N filter.

Time for you to move UP to a Carerra?

Te he.

[Tspringer]

Dude, the damage looks very minimal. The suspension stuff is probably just slightly bent A-arm or bent steering rod either of which is no big deal to fix.

Looks to me like the perfect opportunity to install some lightweight 3.0RS glass bumpers on that baby!

Also: If you drive on the track, its not a matter of IF you will have an off.... its just when and how bad. Take heart in that your number shouldnt come up again for awhile!

[Bill Douglas]

Which way's UP

[tobluforu]

At the speed you mentioned and from what I can see, I would say you got real lucky. Bummer though-looks fixable.

[Wayne 962]

Looks quite fixable. Driver's Ed is probably the best investments most people can make prior to hitting the track.

-Wayne